Qualitative interviews were conducted with participants approximately 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after
their release from prison, between June 2010 and November 2011. Sixty-two prisoners were interviewed in
prison and 45 were followed up on release (73%). The majority of the prisoners had a probation worker in
the community who was contacted on release to assist with follow-up. The initial qualitative interview
covered their preparation for release in terms of their health and social care needs, including appropriateness
of discharge accommodation and their awareness of health and social services that might be required
for their continuing care. The follow-up interview focused on how well plans for release were put into action,
and what services they accessed subsequent to release. Prisoners were also asked about contacts they
had had with health and social services and about any health and social care problems or suicidal thoughts
they had had since discharge. In line with the other parts of this study, qualitative analyses were conducted
using the constant comparative method.